Audi TT's 2.5 litre TFSI wins Engine of the Year 2010

Audi have won their sixth consecutive gong at the International Engine of the Year Awards. After winning the 1.8 to 2.0 litre category five years on the trot with their TFSI technology, they have now taken the crown in convincing style from Mercedes Benz in the 2.0 to 2.5 litre category, with 269 points overall to Mercedes' 185. One of the judges remarked - "Torque, power, a beautiful sound – this engine has it all." 

The five cylinder engine scored highly on all fronts against others in the class:

Power
340 HP between 5400 and 6500 rpm, with 450 Nm torque between 1600 and 5300 rpm.

Efficiency
The engine weighs in at only 183 kilos, contributing significantly to a lower overall weight for the TT RS, less pressure on the axles, and so better road handling.

Economy
Just under 26 mpg for the Coupe, and just under 25 mpg for the Roadster.

Speed
The Coupe will do 0-60mph in a little over 4 seconds and offers a top speed of 174 mph.

TFSI Explained
TFSI is a combination of Turbocharging and FSI (direct fuel injection) technology. With direct injection, a highly pressurised and very fine jet of fuel is injected into the combustion chamber as a spray. This cools the cylinder as it evaporates, meaning it can hold more fuel/air mix under greater pressure. You get more power output and more efficient cylinder charging - meaning that you need 15% less fuel to run the engine.

FSI technology increases the torque and output of petrol engines, making them up to 15% more economical and with reduced exhaust emissions. The dimensions and harmonisation of the combustion chamber design, combined with the airflow and injection rate, results in more power being squeezed out of every drop of fuel.

When combined with turbocharging (where the power of airflow generated by exhaust fumes is used to force fresh air into the cylinder to mix with the fuel and combust) even more efficiency savings can be generated at higher engine speeds without any loss of power.